Getting treatment for depression
It is extremely important that any woman suffering from depression while undergoing treatment for breast cancer also get treatment for their psychological disorder. One study of 578 women with early-stage breast cancer and strong feelings of hopelessness consistent with depression found that survival rates and cancer recurrence rates were both negatively affected by depression. Other studies have found that women are less likely to follow recommended treatment protocols faithfully when they are suffering from the symptoms of depression. Clearly, depression is a problem for women who have breast cancer because it undermines their ability to fight against a disease that can take advantage of weakness. Women disabled by depression while fighting cancer need to attack the cause of their existential despair directly.
Fortunately, excellent treatments for depression are available. This may or may not include the use of anti-depressant drugs. However, it must always be remembered that these drugs are powerful and often have significant side effects, which is why counseling sessions with a professional plus regular attendance at support groups for those suffering from cancer is to be preferred over medication. When it comes to depression, doctors have a tendency to turn to drugs much too quickly because of the belief that they can provide fast solutions to difficult problems. But the side effects of these drugs are unpredictable, and they may interact with cancer drugs in ways that could be harmful.
For example, an extensive medical review of the cases of women who were given the chemotherapy drug tamoxifen while being treated with a popular class of anti-depressants called SSRIs revealed that breast cancer death rates were higher than normal for women who had been given this combination.
An Ohio State study published in 2009 of stage II and stage III breast cancer victims examined the effectiveness of counseling and support group therapy alone as a cure for depression. Not only did researchers discover that psychological intervention was extremely effective in treating the symptoms of depression in breast cancer patients, but they also found that therapy and peer support led to a decrease in inflammation indicators in the blood. Inflammation undermines the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment, which is why it was such a pleasing revelation to discover that psychological counseling and support had positive physiological effects in addition to its benefits for mental health.
Brighter tomorrows await
Breast cancer accompanied by depression is a double-edged sword, and it is important that any woman suffering from both at the same time not neglect treatment for either. Good mental health and a positive attitude are very important in the fight against breast cancer, which is why any breast cancer patient experiencing symptoms consistent with depression needs to be screened by a psychological professional as soon as possible. Help for depression is available, and for breast cancer patients getting that help could literally be a matter of life and death.
Add new comment